Ornamental display

ABSTRACT

An ornamental display device having an interferometric modulator for displaying an ornamental image. The ornamental device may also have a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal. The ornamental device may further have a processor configured to control an image on the display based on the external signal. The external signal is emitted from a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images. The ornamental device may have a patterned diffuser formed on a transparent substrate to provide an ornamental image or information. The ornamental device may be a piece of jewelry or an article that may be worn. The image displayed may have an iridescent appearance. A controller may also be used to control images displayed on multiple ornamental device to provide coordinated images based on externals received or pre-programmed images.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/498,281, filed Jul. 6, 2009, titled “ORNAMENTALDISPLAY DEVICE,” which is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/115,472, filed May 5, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.7,583,429, titled “ORNAMENTAL DISPLAY DEVICE,” which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/208,108, filed Aug. 20, 2005, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,369,294, titled “ORNAMENTAL DISPLAY DEVICE.” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/208,108 claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/613,298, filed Sep. 27, 2004, titled “SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR DISPLAYS.” Eachof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/498,281, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/115,472, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/208,108, andU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/613,298 is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The field of the invention relates to microelectromechanical systems(MEMS). More specifically, the field of the invention relates toornamental devices including interferometric modulators and methods offabricating such ornamental devices.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) include micro mechanical elements,actuators, and electronics. Micromechanical elements may be createdusing deposition, etching, and or other micromachining processes thatetch away parts of substrates and/or deposited material layers or thatadd layers to form electrical and electromechanical devices. One type ofMEMS device is called an interferometric modulator. As used herein, theterm interferometric modulator or interferometric light modulator refersto a device that selectively absorbs and/or reflects light using theprinciples of optical interference. In certain embodiments, aninterferometric modulator may comprise a pair of conductive plates, oneor both of which may be transparent and/or reflective in whole or partand capable of relative motion upon application of an appropriateelectrical signal. In a particular embodiment, one plate may comprise astationary layer deposited on a substrate and the other plate maycomprise a metallic membrane separated from the stationary layer by anair gap. As described herein in more detail, the position of one platein relation to another can change the optical interference of lightincident on the interferometric modulator. Such devices have a widerange of applications, and it would be beneficial in the art to utilizeand/or modify the characteristics of these types of devices so thattheir features can be exploited in improving existing products andcreating new products that have not yet been developed.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENT

The system, method, and devices of the invention each have severalaspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention, its moreprominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments” one will understand howthe features of this invention provide advantages over other displaydevices. The embodiments described herein provide a package structureand a method of manufacturing a package structure in ambient conditions.

One embodiment provides a method of making an ornamental device. Adisplay having an interferometric modulator and a signal receiver areprovided. The signal receiver is configured to receive an externalsignal. A processor is coupled with the display and the signal receiver.The processor is configured to control an image on the display based onan external signal, wherein the external signal is emitted from acontroller configured to control a plurality of ornamental devices todisplay coordinated images.

Another embodiment provides an ornamental device, comprising a displayhaving at least one interferometric modulator, a signal receiver, and aprocessor. The signal receiver is configured to receive an externalsignal. The processor is configured to control an image on the displaybased on the external signal, wherein the external signal is emittedfrom a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamentaldevices to display coordinated images.

According to another embodiment, an ornamental device is provided. Theornamental devices includes means for interferometrically modulatinglight, a receiving means, and a processing means. The receiving means isfor receiving an external signal. The processing means is forcontrolling an image on the modulating means based on the externalsignal. The external signal is emitted from a controller configured tocontrol a plurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images.

According to another embodiment, an ornamental article is provided. Theornamental article comprises an array of interferometric modulatorsconfigured to form a programmable display. The article also includes aprocessor configured to maintain a video sequence based on either apre-programmed image or an external signal.

In another embodiment, an ornamental article is provided. The articlecomprises a modulating means for interferometrically modulating lightfor forming a display means for displaying programs and a processingmeans for maintaining a video sequence on the display means. The videosequence is based on either a pre-programmed image or an externalsignal.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided for making anornamental article. A plurality of interferometric modulators isprovided. The interferometric modulators are configured into an array toform a programmable display. A processor is electrically connected tothe display for maintaining a video sequence on the display based oneither a pre-programmed image or an external signal.

According to yet another embodiment, an interferometric modulator isprovided. The interferometric modulator is configured to display aniridescent image and comprises a first surface for reflecting light; anda second surface for reflecting light. The second surface is separatedfrom the first surface by a cavity. The first and second surfacesinterferometrically modulate light such that more than one distinctcolor is reflected by the interferometric modulator.

In accordance with another embodiment, an interferometric modulator isprovided to display an iridescent image. The interferometric modulatorcomprises a first means for reflecting light and a second means forreflecting light. The first and second reflecting meansinterferometrically modulate light such that more than one distinctcolor is reflected by the interferometric modulator.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided for forming aninterferometric modulator. A first reflective layer is provided and asecond reflective layer is separated from the first reflective layer bya cavity. The first and second reflective layers interferometricallymodulate light such that more than one distinct color is reflected bythe interferometric modulator.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided for forming adisplay device. An interferometric modulator is provided. Theinterferometric modulator comprises a transparent substrate, a partiallyreflective layer and a substantially reflective layer spaced apart andseparated by a cavity from the partially reflective layer. A diffuserfilm is formed on transparent substrate of the interferometric modulatorand the diffuser film is patterned to have an ornamental effect.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a display device is provided,comprising a transparent substrate having a first side and a secondside, a first surface for reflecting light formed over the first side ofthe transparent substrate, a second surface for reflecting light, and apatterned diffuser film formed over the second side of the transparentsubstrate. The second surface is substantially parallel to the firstsurface, and the second surface is separated from the first surface by acavity. The patterned diffuser film has an ornamental design.

Still another embodiment is a display device, comprising: means fortransmitting light, the transmitting means having a first side and asecond side. A first means for reflecting light formed over the firstside of the transmitting means and a second means for reflecting lightis substantially parallel to the first reflecting means, wherein thesecond reflecting means is separated from the first reflecting means bya cavity. The embodiment also includes a diffusing means for diffusinglight, wherein the diffusing means is patterned and formed over thesecond side of the transmitting means, wherein the diffusing means hasan ornamental design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be readily apparent fromthe following description and from the appended drawings (not to scale),which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting a portion of one embodiment of aninterferometric modulator display in which a movable reflective layer ofa first interferometric modulator is in a relaxed position and a movablereflective layer of a second interferometric modulator is in an actuatedposition.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic device incorporating a 3×3 interferometric modulator display.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of movable mirror position versus applied voltagefor one exemplary embodiment of an interferometric modulator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a set of row and column voltages that maybe used to drive an interferometric modulator display.

FIG. 5A illustrates one exemplary frame of display data in the 3×3interferometric modulator display of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B illustrates one exemplary timing diagram for row and columnsignals that may be used to write the frame of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment ofa visual display device comprising a plurality of interferometricmodulators.

FIG. 7A is a cross section of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 7C is a cross section of another alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 7D is a cross section of yet another alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 7E is a cross section of an additional alternative embodiment of aninterferometric modulator.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an interferometric modulator that is usedto provide an ornamental image on a specular surface.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of an embodiment of an interferometricmodulator having a diffuser.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a patterned diffuser on a transparentsubstrate in an embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of an ornamental device including aninterferometric modulator for displaying an ornamental image.

FIG. 12A is a system block diagram illustrating an embodiment in which acontroller is used to coordinate displays on multiple interferometricmodulator displays.

FIG. 12B is a top plan view of an embodiment of an ornamental device.

FIG. 12C is a side view of an embodiment of an ornamental device.

FIG. 13 is a cross section of an embodiment of an interferometricmodulator configured to display an image that appears iridescent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is directed to certain specificembodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied ina multitude of different ways. In this description, reference is made tothe drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numeralsthroughout. As will be apparent from the following description, theembodiments may be implemented in any device that is configured todisplay an image, whether in motion (e.g., video) or stationary (e.g.,still image), and whether textual or pictorial. More particularly, it iscontemplated that the embodiments may be implemented in or associatedwith a variety of electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobiletelephones, wireless devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-heldor portable computers, GPS receivers/navigators, cameras, MP3 players,camcorders, game consoles, wrist watches, clocks, calculators,television monitors, flat panel displays, computer monitors, autodisplays (e.g., odometer display, etc.), cockpit controls and/ordisplays, display of camera views (e.g., display of a rear view camerain a vehicle), electronic photographs, electronic billboards or signs,projectors, architectural structures, packaging, and aestheticstructures (e.g., display of images on a piece of jewelry). MEMS devicesof similar structure to those described herein can also be used innon-display applications such as in electronic switching devices.

According to embodiments described herein, an interferometric modulatordisplay is provided in an ornamental device. The ornamental device mayhave a patterned diffuser formed on a transparent substrate to providean ornamental image. The ornamental device may also be a piece ofjewelry or an article that may be worn. The skilled artisan willunderstand that the ornamental device may have an attachment means, suchas, for example, a chain or a strap. The image displayed may have aniridescent appearance. A controller may also be used to control imagesdisplayed on multiple ornamental device to provide coordinated imagesbased on external signals received or pre-programmed images.

One interferometric modulator display embodiment comprising aninterferometric MEMS display element is illustrated in FIG. 1. In thesedevices, the pixels are in either a bright or dark state. In the bright(“on” or “open”) state, the display element reflects a large portion ofincident visible light to a user. When in the dark (“off” or “closed”)state, the display element reflects little incident visible light to theuser. Depending on the embodiment, the light reflectance properties ofthe “on” and “off” states may be reversed. MEMS pixels can be configuredto reflect predominantly at selected colors, allowing for a colordisplay in addition to black and white.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting two adjacent pixels in a series ofpixels of a visual display, wherein each pixel comprises a MEMSinterferometric modulator. In some embodiments, an interferometricmodulator display comprises a row/column array of these interferometricmodulators. Each interferometric modulator includes a pair of reflectivelayers positioned at a variable and controllable distance from eachother to form a resonant optical cavity with at least one variabledimension. In one embodiment, one of the reflective layers may be movedbetween two positions. In the first position, referred to herein as therelaxed position, the movable reflective layer is positioned at arelatively large distance from a fixed partially reflective layer. Inthe second position, referred to herein as the actuated position, themovable reflective layer is positioned more closely adjacent to thepartially reflective layer. Incident light that reflects from the twolayers interferes constructively or destructively depending on theposition of the movable reflective layer, producing either an overallreflective or non-reflective state for each pixel.

The depicted portion of the pixel array in FIG. 1 includes two adjacentinterferometric modulators 12 a and 12 b. In the interferometricmodulator 12 a on the left, a movable reflective layer 14 a isillustrated in a relaxed position at a predetermined distance from anoptical stack 16 a, which includes a partially reflective layer. In theinterferometric modulator 12 b on the right, the movable reflectivelayer 14 b is illustrated in an actuated position adjacent to theoptical stack 16 b.

The optical stacks 16 a and 16 b (collectively referred to as opticalstack 16), as referenced herein, typically comprise of several fusedlayers, which can include an electrode layer, such as indium tin oxide(ITO), a partially reflective layer, such as chromium, and a transparentdielectric. The optical stack 16 is thus electrically conductive,partially transparent and partially reflective, and may be fabricated,for example, by depositing one or more of the above layers onto atransparent substrate 20. In some embodiments, the layers are patternedinto parallel strips, and may form row electrodes in a display device asdescribed further below. The movable reflective layers 14 a, 14 b may beformed as a series of parallel strips of a deposited metal layer orlayers (orthogonal to the row electrodes of 16 a, 16 b) deposited on topof posts 18 and an intervening sacrificial material deposited betweenthe posts 18. When the sacrificial material is etched away, the movablereflective layers 14 a, 14 b are separated from the optical stacks 16 a,16 b by a defined gap 19. A highly conductive and reflective materialsuch as aluminum may be used for the reflective layers 14, and thesestrips may form column electrodes in a display device.

With no applied voltage, the cavity 19 remains between the movablereflective layer 14 a and optical stack 16 a, with the movablereflective layer 14 a in a mechanically relaxed state, as illustrated bythe pixel 12 a in FIG. 1. However, when a potential difference isapplied to a selected row and column, the capacitor formed at theintersection of the row and column electrodes at the corresponding pixelbecomes charged, and electrostatic forces pull the electrodes together.If the voltage is high enough, the movable reflective layer 14 isdeformed and is forced against the optical stack 16. A dielectric layer(not illustrated in this Figure) within the optical stack 16 may preventshorting and control the separation distance between layers 14 and 16,as illustrated by pixel 12 b on the right in FIG. 1. The behavior is thesame regardless of the polarity of the applied potential difference. Inthis way, row/column actuation that can control the reflective vs.non-reflective pixel states is analogous in many ways to that used inconventional LCD and other display technologies.

FIGS. 2 through 5B illustrate one exemplary process and system for usingan array of interferometric modulators in a display application.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic device that may incorporate aspects of the invention. In theexemplary embodiment, the electronic device includes a processor 21which may be any general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessorsuch as an ARM, Pentium®, Pentium II®, Pentium III®, Pentium IV®,Pentium® Pro, an 8051, a MIPS®, a Power PC®, an ALPHA®, or any specialpurpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor,microcontroller, or a programmable gate array. As is conventional in theart, the processor 21 may be configured to execute one or more softwaremodules. In addition to executing an operating system, the processor maybe configured to execute one or more software applications, including aweb browser, a telephone application, an email program, or any othersoftware application.

In one embodiment, the processor 21 is also configured to communicatewith an array driver 22. In one embodiment, the array driver 22 includesa row driver circuit 24 and a column driver circuit 26 that providesignals to a panel or display array (display) 30. The cross section ofthe array illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown by the lines 1-1 in FIG. 2. ForMEMS interferometric modulators, the row/column actuation protocol maytake advantage of a hysteresis property of these devices illustrated inFIG. 3. It may require, for example, a 10 volt potential difference tocause a movable layer to deform from the relaxed state to the actuatedstate. However, when the voltage is reduced from that value, the movablelayer maintains its state as the voltage drops back below 10 volts. Inthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the movable layer does not relaxcompletely until the voltage drops below 2 volts. There is thus a rangeof voltage, about 3 to 7 V in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, wherethere exists a window of applied voltage within which the device isstable in either the relaxed or actuated state. This is referred toherein as the “hysteresis window” or “stability window.” For a displayarray having the hysteresis characteristics of FIG. 3, the row/columnactuation protocol can be designed such that during row strobing, pixelsin the strobed row that are to be actuated are exposed to a voltagedifference of about 10 volts, and pixels that are to be relaxed areexposed to a voltage difference of close to zero volts. After thestrobe, the pixels are exposed to a steady state voltage difference ofabout 5 volts such that they remain in whatever state the row strobe putthem in. After being written, each pixel sees a potential differencewithin the “stability window” of 3-7 volts in this example. This featuremakes the pixel design illustrated in FIG. 1 stable under the sameapplied voltage conditions in either an actuated or relaxed pre-existingstate. Since each pixel of the interferometric modulator, whether in theactuated or relaxed state, is essentially a capacitor formed by thefixed and moving reflective layers, this stable state can be held at avoltage within the hysteresis window with almost no power dissipation.Essentially no current flows into the pixel if the applied potential isfixed.

In typical applications, a display frame may be created by asserting theset of column electrodes in accordance with the desired set of actuatedpixels in the first row. A row pulse is then applied to the row 1electrode, actuating the pixels corresponding to the asserted columnlines. The asserted set of column electrodes is then changed tocorrespond to the desired set of actuated pixels in the second row. Apulse is then applied to the row 2 electrode, actuating the appropriatepixels in row 2 in accordance with the asserted column electrodes. Therow 1 pixels are unaffected by the row 2 pulse, and remain in the statethey were set to during the row 1 pulse. This may be repeated for theentire series of rows in a sequential fashion to produce the frame.Generally, the frames are refreshed and/or updated with new display databy continually repeating this process at some desired number of framesper second. A wide variety of protocols for driving row and columnelectrodes of pixel arrays to produce display frames are also well knownand may be used in conjunction with the present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B illustrate one possible actuation protocol forcreating a display frame on the 3×3 array of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustratesa possible set of column and row voltage levels that may be used forpixels exhibiting the hysteresis curves of FIG. 3. In the FIG. 4embodiment, actuating a pixel involves setting the appropriate column to−V_(bias), and the appropriate row to +ΔV, which may correspond to −5volts and +5 volts respectively Relaxing the pixel is accomplished bysetting the appropriate column to +V_(bias), and the appropriate row tothe same +αV, producing a zero volt potential difference across thepixel. In those rows where the row voltage is held at zero volts, thepixels are stable in whatever state they were originally in, regardlessof whether the column is at +V_(bias), or −V_(bias). As is alsoillustrated in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that voltages of oppositepolarity than those described above can be used, e.g., actuating a pixelcan involve setting the appropriate column to +V_(bias), and theappropriate row to −ΔV. In this embodiment, releasing the pixel isaccomplished by setting the appropriate column to −V_(bias), and theappropriate row to the same −ΔV, producing a zero volt potentialdifference across the pixel.

FIG. 5B is a timing diagram showing a series of row and column signalsapplied to the 3×3 array of FIG. 2 which will result in the displayarrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, where actuated pixels arenon-reflective. Prior to writing the frame illustrated in FIG. 5A, thepixels can be in any state, and in this example, all the rows are at 0volts, and all the columns are at +5 volts. With these applied voltages,all pixels are stable in their existing actuated or relaxed states.

In the FIG. 5A frame, pixels (1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (3,2) and (3,3) areactuated. To accomplish this, during a “line time” for row 1, columns 1and 2 are set to −5 volts, and column 3 is set to +5 volts. This doesnot change the state of any pixels, because all the pixels remain in the3-7 volt stability window. Row 1 is then strobed with a pulse that goesfrom 0, up to 5 volts, and back to zero. This actuates the (1,1) and(1,2) pixels and relaxes the (1,3) pixel. No other pixels in the arrayare affected. To set row 2 as desired, column 2 is set to −5 volts, andcolumns 1 and 3 are set to +5 volts. The same strobe applied to row 2will then actuate pixel (2,2) and relax pixels (2,1) and (2,3). Again,no other pixels of the array are affected. Row 3 is similarly set bysetting columns 2 and 3 to −5 volts, and column 1 to +5 volts. The row 3strobe sets the row 3 pixels as shown in FIG. 5A. After writing theframe, the row potentials are zero, and the column potentials can remainat either +5 or −5 volts, and the display is then stable in thearrangement of FIG. 5A. It will be appreciated that the same procedurecan be employed for arrays of dozens or hundreds of rows and columns. Itwill also be appreciated that the timing, sequence, and levels ofvoltages used to perform row and column actuation can be varied widelywithin the general principles outlined above, and the above example isexemplary only, and any actuation voltage method can be used with thesystems and methods described herein.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment ofa display device 40. The display device 40 can be, for example, acellular or mobile telephone. However, the same components of displaydevice 40 or slight variations thereof are also illustrative of varioustypes of display devices such as televisions and portable media players.

The display device 40 includes a housing 41, a display 30, an antenna43, a speaker 45, an input device 48, and a microphone 46. The housing41 is generally formed from any of a variety of manufacturing processesas are well known to those of skill in the art, including injectionmolding, and vacuum forming. In addition, the housing 41 may be madefrom any of a variety of materials, including but not limited toplastic, metal, glass, rubber, and ceramic, or a combination thereof. Inone embodiment the housing 41 includes removable portions (not shown)that may be interchanged with other removable portions of differentcolor, or containing different logos, pictures, or symbols.

The display 30 of exemplary display device 40 may be any of a variety ofdisplays, including a bi-stable display, as described herein. In otherembodiments, the display 30 includes a flat-panel display, such asplasma, EL, OLED, STN LCD, or TFT LCD as described above, or anon-flat-panel display, such as a CRT or other tube device, as is wellknown to those of skill in the art. However, for purposes of describingthe present embodiment, the display 30 includes an interferometricmodulator display, as described herein.

The components of one embodiment of exemplary display device 40 areschematically illustrated in FIG. 6B. The illustrated exemplary displaydevice 40 includes a housing 41 and can include additional components atleast partially enclosed therein. For example, in one embodiment, theexemplary display device 40 includes a network interface 27 thatincludes an antenna 43 which is coupled to a transceiver 47. Thetransceiver 47 is connected to the processor 21, which is connected toconditioning hardware 52. The conditioning hardware 52 may be configuredto condition a signal (e.g. filter a signal). The conditioning hardware52 is connected to a speaker 45 and a microphone 46. The processor 21 isalso connected to an input device 48 and a driver controller 29. Thedriver controller 29 is coupled to a frame buffer 28 and to the arraydriver 22, which in turn is coupled to a display array 30. A powersupply 50 provides power to all components as required by the particularexemplary display device 40 design.

The network interface 27 includes the antenna 43 and the transceiver 47so that the exemplary display device 40 can communicate with one or moredevices over a network. In one embodiment the network interface 27 mayalso have some processing capabilities to relieve requirements of theprocessor 21. The antenna 43 is any antenna known to those of skill inthe art for transmitting and receiving signals. In one embodiment, theantenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the IEEE 802.11standard, including IEEE 802.11(a), (b), or (g). In another embodiment,the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the BLUETOOTHstandard. In the case of a cellular telephone, the antenna is designedto receive CDMA, GSM, AMPS or other known signals that are used tocommunicate within a wireless cell phone network. The transceiver 47pre-processes the signals received from the antenna 43 so that they maybe received by and further manipulated by the processor 21. Thetransceiver 47 also processes signals received from the processor 21 sothat they may be transmitted from the exemplary display device 40 viathe antenna 43.

In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver 47 can be replaced by areceiver. In yet another alternative embodiment, network interface 27can be replaced by an image source, which can store or generate imagedata to be sent to the processor 21. For example, the image source canbe a digital video disc (DVD) or a hard-disc drive that contains imagedata, or a software module that generates image data.

The processor 21 generally controls the overall operation of theexemplary display device 40. The processor 21 receives data, such ascompressed image data from the network interface 27 or an image source,and processes the data into raw image data or into a format that isreadily processed into raw image data. The processor 21 then sends theprocessed data to the driver controller 29 or to frame buffer 28 forstorage. Raw data typically refers to the information that identifiesthe image characteristics at each location within an image. For example,such image characteristics can include color, saturation, and gray-scalelevel.

In one embodiment, the processor 21 includes a microcontroller, CPU, orlogic unit to control operation of the exemplary display device 40. Theconditioning hardware 52 generally includes amplifiers and filters fortransmitting signals to the speaker 45, and for receiving signals fromthe microphone 46. The conditioning hardware 52 may be discretecomponents within the exemplary display device 40, or may beincorporated within the processor 21 or other components.

The driver controller 29 takes the raw image data generated by theprocessor 21 either directly from the processor 21 or from the framebuffer 28 and reformats the raw image data appropriately for high speedtransmission to the array driver 22. Specifically, the driver controller29 reformats the raw image data into a data flow having a raster-likeformat, such that it has a time order suitable for scanning across thedisplay array 30. Then the driver controller 29 sends the formattedinformation to the array driver 22. Although a driver controller 29,such as a LCD controller, is often associated with the system processor21 as a stand-alone Integrated Circuit (IC), such controllers may beimplemented in many ways. They may be embedded in the processor 21 ashardware, embedded in the processor 21 as software, or fully integratedin hardware with the array driver 22.

Typically, the array driver 22 receives the formatted information fromthe driver controller 29 and reformats the video data into a parallelset of waveforms that are applied many times per second to the hundredsand sometimes thousands of leads coming from the display's x-y matrix ofpixels.

In one embodiment, the driver controller 29, array driver 22, anddisplay array 30 are appropriate for any of the types of displaysdescribed herein. For example, in one embodiment, the driver controller29 is a conventional display controller or a bi-stable displaycontroller (e.g., an interferometric modulator controller). In anotherembodiment, the array driver 22 is a conventional driver or a bi-stabledisplay driver (e.g., an interferometric modulator display). In oneembodiment, the driver controller 29 is integrated with the array driver22. Such an embodiment is common in highly integrated systems such ascellular phones, watches, and other small area displays. In yet anotherembodiment, the display array 30 is a typical display array or abi-stable display array (e.g., a display including an array ofinterferometric modulators).

The input device 48 allows a user to control the operation of theexemplary display device 40. In one embodiment, the input device 48includes a keypad, such as a QWERTY keyboard or a telephone keypad, abutton, a switch, a touch-sensitive screen, a pressure- orheat-sensitive membrane. In one embodiment, the microphone 46 is aninput device for the exemplary display device 40. When the microphone 46is used to input data to the device, voice commands may be provided by auser for controlling operations of the exemplary display device 40.

The power supply 50 can include a variety of energy storage devices asare well known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the powersupply 50 is a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel-cadmium battery ora lithium ion battery. In another embodiment, the power supply 50 is arenewable energy source, a capacitor, or a solar cell, including aplastic solar cell, and solar-cell paint. In another embodiment, thepower supply 50 is configured to receive power from a wall outlet.

In some implementations control programmability resides, as describedabove, in a driver controller which can be located in several places inthe electronic display system. In some cases control programmabilityresides in the array driver 22. Those of skill in the art will recognizethat the above-described optimization may be implemented in any numberof hardware and/or software components and in various configurations.

The details of the structure of interferometric modulators that operatein accordance with the principles set forth above may vary widely. Forexample, FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate five different embodiments of themovable reflective layer 14 and its supporting structures. FIG. 7A is across section of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where a strip of metalmaterial 14 is deposited on orthogonally extending support structures orposts 18. In FIG. 7B, the moveable reflective layer 14 is attached tosupport structures 18 at the corners only, on tethers 32. In FIG. 7C,the moveable reflective layer 14 is suspended from a deformable layer34, which may comprise a flexible metal. The deformable layer 34connects, directly or indirectly, to the substrate 20 around theperimeter of the deformable layer 34. These connections are hereinreferred to as support structures or posts 18. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7D has support structures that include post plugs 42upon which the deformable layer 34 rests. The movable reflective layer14 remains suspended over the cavity, as in FIGS. 7A-7C, but thedeformable layer 34 does not form the support posts 18 by filling holesbetween the deformable layer 34 and the optical stack 16. Rather, thesupport posts 18 are formed at least partially of a planarizationmaterial, which is used to form support post plugs 42. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7E is based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 7D, butmay also be adapted to work with any of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 7A-7C as well as additional embodiments not shown. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 7E, an extra layer of metal or other conductivematerial has been used to form a bus structure 44. This allows signalrouting along the back of the interferometric modulators, eliminating anumber of electrodes that may otherwise have had to be formed on thesubstrate 20.

In embodiments such as those shown in FIG. 7, the interferometricmodulators function as direct-view devices, in which images are viewedfrom the front side of the transparent substrate 20, the side oppositeto that upon which the modulator is arranged. In these embodiments, thereflective layer 14 optically shields some portions of theinterferometric modulator on the side of the reflective layer oppositethe substrate 20, including the deformable layer 34 and the busstructure 44. This allows the shielded areas to be configured andoperated upon without negatively affecting the image quality. Thisseparable modulator architecture allows the structural design andmaterials used for the electromechanical aspects and the optical aspectsof the modulator to be selected and to function independently of eachother. Moreover, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7C-7E have additionalbenefits deriving from the decoupling of the optical properties of thereflective layer 14 from its mechanical properties, which are carriedout by the deformable layer 34. This allows the structural design andmaterials used for the reflective layer 14 to be optimized with respectto the optical properties, and the structural design and materials usedfor the deformable layer 34 to be optimized with respect to desiredmechanical properties.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an interferometric modulator that is usedto provide an ornamental image. In an embodiment, an interferometricmodulator 125 is configured to be specular, e.g., mirror-like, insteadof diffuse, as is typical for many embodiments of interferometricmodulators. Generally, an interferometric modulator is specular and onlyappears diffuse if a diffusion material is used to change thecharacteristics of the reflected light. A portion 120 of the specularsurface 130 of the interferometric modulator 125 is covered or patternedwith diffuser material (as will be described in more detail below) toprovide information or an ornamental image to a user while the user canuse the specular surface for other uses, such as, for example, shavingor applying make-up. The image may include any type of information orimage, including, but not limited to, news, stock quotations, logos, andornamental images. In other embodiments, the interferometric modulator125 is configured as a mirror on a vehicle, such as, for example, arear-view mirror or a side mirror. Using interferometric modulatortechnology, the mirror can display useful information to the driver,such as the distance to obstructions behind the car when backing up(received from a sensor in the car) or an image of objects behind thecar (received from a video camera in the car).

As noted above, the mirrors of an interferometric modulators arespecular. Because the mirrors are specular, a diffuser, such as, forexample, a diffuser film, is typically interposed between the displaydevice and the viewer to provide a displayed image. The diffuser film istypically applied to the transparent substrate of the interferometricmodulator after fabrication. The diffuser film is preferably formed of apolymer film, such as polyester or polycarbonate, and is preferablyabout 50-100 μm thick. The skilled artisan will appreciate that athicker diffuser film increases the overall thickness of the displaydevice. Diffusers of this type are known in the art and also used in,for example, LCD and OLED applications.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an interferometric modulator 1000comprising a transparent substrate 1100, an optical stack 1200, amovable mirror/mechanical layer 1300, and a diffuser 1400. As shown inFIG. 9, the optical stack 1200 is formed over the transparent substrate1100. A resonant optical cavity 1500 is between the optical stack 1200and the movable mirror/mechanical layer 1300. The height of the opticalcavity 1500 is selected for a particular choice of reflected color inthe relaxed condition. In other arrangements, different cavities havedifferent heights to produce multiple different colors, such as red,green, and glue for an RGB display system.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movable mirror/mechanical layer 1300also functions as a movable reflective layer or second electrode, andthus may be referred to as a mechanical layer, a deformable layer,and/or electrode. The mirror/mechanical layer 1300 may comprise a fullyreflective, flexible metal, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, or it maysupport a separate mirror, as shown in FIGS. 7C-7E. Other suitablematerials for the mirror/mechanical layer 1300 include, but are notlimited to, aluminum, chromium, and other materials typically used forthe electrode. The mirror/mechanical layer 1300 preferably connects,either directly or indirectly, to the transparent substrate 1100 aroundthe perimeter of the mirror/mechanical layer 1300. As shown in FIG. 9,the mirror/mechanical layer 1300 is supported by support structures1600.

The optical stack 1200 and mirror/mechanical layer 1300 may be of anytype known in the art. For example, the optical stack 1200 may besimilar to the optical stack 16 shown in FIGS. 7A-7E. The transparentsubstrate 1100 may be formed of material, such as, for example, glass,silica, alumina, etc. The transparent substrate 1100 is preferablyformed to be about 0.5-1.1 mm thick. The skilled artisan will appreciatethat, in some embodiments, the transparent substrate 1100 may bethinner. As discussed above, the optical stack 1200 typically comprisesseveral integrated or fused layers, including a first electrode layer,such as ITO, a partially reflective layer, such as chromium, and adielectric layer. The layers of the optical stack 1200 are preferablypatterned into parallel strips to form row electrodes. Typically, thelayers of the optical stack 1200 are deposited onto the transparentsubstrate 1100, preferably deposited by conventional depositiontechniques, such as some form of sputtering, physical vapor deposition,and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The dielectric layer of the opticalstack 1200 is preferably formed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂). In otherarrangements, the dielectric layer is formed of other insulatingmaterials and can optionally include one or more etch stop layers toprotect the optical stack 1200 from subsequent etch steps.

In some embodiments, the diffuser 1400 comprises a suitable transparentor translucent polymer resin, such as, for example, polyester,polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride,polystyrene, polyacrylates, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane,and copolymers or blends thereof. In some embodiments, the diffuser 1400is a composite comprising a polymer resin, as described above, and oneor more other components. In some embodiments, the other component isinorganic while in other embodiments, the other component is organic. Insome embodiments, the other component provides diffusion to the diffuser1400. For example, in some embodiments, the optical beads are dispersedwithin the diffuser. In other embodiments, the diffuser 1400 ismonolithic. In some embodiments, the diffuser material is inherentlydiffusive. In some embodiments, a surface of the diffuser 1400 ispatterned to provide diffusion. Either the surface of the diffuser 1400proximal to the viewer, the surface distal to the viewer, or both arepatterned. Some embodiments use a combination of these diffusionmechanisms, such as, for example, texturing a surface of an inherentlydiffusive material.

According to some embodiments, the diffuser 1400 is an inorganicmaterial comprising an oxide and/or nitride, such as, for example,silica or alumina. In other embodiments, the inorganic material iscrystalline. In still other embodiments, the inorganic material isamorphous.

According to some embodiments, the diffuser 1400 is applied to thetransparent substrate 1100 after fabrication of the interferometricmodulator 100. The diffuser 1400 is preferably applied using anadhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive is pre-applied to thediffuser. In other embodiments, the adhesive is applied to thetransparent substrate 1100 after fabrication of the interferometricmodulator 1000. According to an embodiment, a two-part adhesive is used,in which a first component is applied to the diffuser 1400 and a secondcomponent is applied to the transparent substrate 1100. The skilledartisan will appreciate that other types of adhesives may be used, suchas pressure sensitive and thermosetting adhesives. In some embodiments,the adhesive cures at about ambient temperature. In other embodiments,the adhesive is radiation-cured.

The skilled artisan will understand that the diffuser 1400 may also befabricated on the transparent substrate 1100. For example, in someembodiments, an uncured polymer resin is applied to the transparentsubstrate 1100 by spin-coating or calendaring. The polymer resin is thencured to form the diffuser 1400.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a patterned diffuser 1400 on a transparentsubstrate 1100 in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10,the diffuser 1400 is patterned to display a static ornamental image. Theornamental image is displayed in the areas in which the diffuser 1400 ispresent, as illustrated in FIG. 10. It will be understood that thethickness of the diffuser 1400 may be altered to create the ornamentalimage. The skilled artisan will understand that the diffuser 1400 may bepatterned into any desired image or logo.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 11, an ornamental device2000, such as, for example, jewelry, may include an interferometricmodulator 2100 for displaying an ornamental image. In the illustratedembodiment shown in FIG. 11, the interferometric modulator 2100 has adisplay and is on a pendant 2200 on a chain 2300. The interferometricmodulator 2100 preferably has one or more reflectance modes, wherein adifferent mode may be activated through a switch 2400. For example, inone mode, the display on the pendant 2200 can reflect a first set ofselected colors, and when the switch 2400 is actuated for a second mode,the display on the pendant 2200 can reflect a second set of colors. Inother embodiments, the display on the pendant 2200 may have more thantwo modes. According to an embodiment, the ornamental device 2000 has anautomatic switching mechanism to cycle through two or more modes wherethe interferometric modulator 2100 reflects a different set of colorsfor each mode.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12A, a controller3000 may be used to control the displays of two or more ornamentaldevices (e.g., jewelry, belt buckle, watch, or other type of ornamentaldisplay) 3100, 3200 to display coordinated images. As shown in FIG. 12B,each of the ornamental devices 3100, 3200 preferably comprises aninterferometric modulator 3300 having a display. Each of the ornamentaldevices 3100, 3200 preferably also comprise a processor 3400 forcontrolling an image on the display, and a signal receiver 3500 (e.g.,an antenna) for receiving external signals, as shown in the illustratedembodiment in FIG. 12C. The processor 3400 preferably is configured tocontrol the image on the display based on a signal received by thesignal receiver 3500. In a preferred embodiment, the controller 3000 isconfigured to emit a signal, which can be received by a signal receiver3500 on the ornamental device(s) 3100, 3200.

In an embodiment, the ornamental device 3100, 3200 may also include aswitch 3600 for activating the display. In some embodiments, the switch3600 is also connected to the processor 3400 and can activate more thanone mode of the display such that the display reflects a first set ofcolors when a first mode is activated and reflects a second set ofcolors when a second mode is activated. In an embodiment, the switch3600 can also rotate the display through multiple images.

According to another embodiment, the ornamental device 3100, 3200comprises an array of interferometric modulators 3300 to form aprogrammable display. Preferably, each of the interferometric modulators3300 comprises a signal receiver 3500 for receiving an external signalas well as a processor 3400 for maintaining a video sequence for anindefinite period of time on the display based on image data receivedfrom an external source, such as an external signal received from acontroller 3000 by the signal receiver 3500. In some embodiments, thedisplayed image may be based on user input or is pre-programmed withoutreceiving an external signal. For example, a user may be able to designan image to be displayed by the ornamental device. The skilled artisanwill understand that the image(s) displayed may be either static ordynamic. In an alternative embodiment, the displayed image is based onthe detected temperature of the environment surrounding the ornamentaldevice. For example, if the environment is very warm, the displayedimage may be shades of colors, such as red and orange. Alternatively, ifthe environment is very cool, the displayed image may be shades of thecolor blue.

In other embodiments, the displayed image may be pre-programmed. Theornamental device 3100, 3200 may be connected to an external source,such as a computer, for programming. A user may download from thecomputer certain images for display on the ornamental device 3100, 3200.The skilled artisan will understand that the user may use software todesign the images on the computer prior to downloading the images to theornamental device 3100, 3200. Alternatively, the user may downloadexisting images from the computer to the ornamental device 3100, 3200.

According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, an interferometricmodulator 2000 is configured to display an image that appearsiridescent. As shown in FIG. 13, a first electrode (in an optical stack)2100 is formed over a transparent substrate 2200 and is separated from asecond electrode 2300 by a resonant optical cavity 2400. As shown inFIG. 13, the second electrode 2300 is supported by support structures2500.

In this embodiment, the first and second electrodes 2100, 2200interferometrically modulate light such that more than one distinctcolor is reflected by the interferometric modulator 2000, therebyproviding an iridescent (i.e., varying in color when seen from differentangles) image. According to this embodiment, the image displayed dependson the angle from which it is viewed. Therefore, when viewed from oneangle, the image will display a first color and when viewed from adifferent angle, the image will display a second color.

In a typical interferometric modulator, the specific color displayed bythe interferometric modulator depends on the height of the cavity (i.e.,the distance between the optical stack (first electrode and insulatingdielectric formed over the first electrode) and the mirror layer (secondelectrode)). It will be understood that a typical interferometricmodulator produces a slightly iridescent image and a diffuser,especially a thicker one, will mitigate the iridescent effect. In thisembodiment, the iridescence of the image is “increased.” According to anembodiment, the “increased” iridescent appearance of the display isachieved by altering the height h of the optical cavity 2400 to begreater than the height for producing one color. The skilled artisanwill understand that if the height h of the cavity 2400 is larger, theinterferometric modulator 2000 will reflect more than one distinctcolor, thereby providing an image having an iridescent appearance.Preferably, the height h of the cavity 2400 is greater than about 0.5μm. In a preferred embodiment, the height h of the cavity 2400 is about1 μm. In a preferred embodiment, the interferometric modulator 2000 isformed without a diffuser on the transparent substrate. In analternative embodiment, the interferometric modulator 2000 is formedwith a relatively thin layer of diffuser.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. As will be recognized, the present invention may be embodiedwithin a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits setforth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately fromothers.

1. An ornamental device, comprising: a display having at least onedisplay element; a signal receiver configured to receive an externalsignal; and a processor configured to control an image on the displaybased on the external signal, wherein the external signal is emittedfrom a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamentaldevices to display coordinated images.
 2. The ornamental device of claim1, wherein the ornamental device is jewelry.
 3. The ornamental device ofclaim 1, further comprising a switch configured to activate the display.4. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein the switch is configured toactivate at least a first mode and a second mode of the display, whereinthe display reflects a first set of colors when the first mode isactivated and the display reflects a second set of colors when thesecond mode is activated.
 5. The ornamental device of claim 3, whereinthe switch is configured to activate at least a first mode and a secondmode of the display, wherein the display reflects a first image when thefirst mode is activated and the display reflects a second image when thesecond mode is activated, wherein the first and second images aredifferent.
 6. The ornamental device of claim 1, further comprising amemory device in electrical communication with said processor, whereinthe processor is in electrical communication with said display, saidprocessor being configured to process image data.
 7. The ornamentaldevice of claim 6, further comprising a driver circuit configured tosend a second signal to said display.
 8. The ornamental device of claim7, wherein the controller is configured to send at least a portion ofsaid image data to said driver circuit.
 9. The ornamental device ofclaim 6, further comprising an image source module configured to sendsaid image data to said processor.
 10. The ornamental device of claim 9,wherein said image source module comprises at least one of a receiver,transceiver, and transmitter.
 11. The ornamental device of claim 6,further comprising an input device configured to receive input data andto communicate said input data to said processor.
 12. A method of makingan ornamental device, comprising: providing a display having a displayelement; providing a signal receiver configured to receive an externalsignal; and coupling a processor with the display and the signalreceiver, wherein the processor is configured to control an image on thedisplay based on the external signal, wherein the external signal isemitted from a controller configured to control a plurality ofornamental devices to display coordinated images.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the ornamental device is jewelry.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising coupling a switch to the display, whereinthe switch is configured to activate the display.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the switch is configured to activate at least a firstmode and a second mode of the display, wherein the display reflects afirst set of colors when the first mode is activated and the displayreflects a second set of colors when the second mode is activated. 16.An ornamental device formed by the method of claim
 12. 17. An ornamentaldevice, comprising: means for displaying an image; receiving means forreceiving an external signal; and processing means for controlling theimage on the displaying means based on the external signal, wherein theexternal signal is emitted from a controller configured to control aplurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images.
 18. Theornamental device of claim 17, wherein the receiving means comprises anantenna.
 19. The ornamental device of claim 17, wherein the processingmeans comprises a processor.
 20. The ornamental device of claim 17,wherein the ornamental device is jewelry.
 21. The ornamental device ofclaim 17, further comprising a switching means for activating themodulating means.
 22. The ornamental device of claim 21, wherein theswitching means is configured to activate at least a first mode and asecond mode of the displaying means, wherein the displaying meansreflects a first set of colors when the first mode is activated and thedisplaying means reflects a second set of colors when the second mode isactivated.
 23. The ornamental device of claim 21, wherein the switchingmeans is configured to activate at least a first mode and a second modeof the displaying means, wherein the displaying means reflects a firstimage when the first mode is activated and the displaying means reflectsa second image when the second mode is activated, wherein the first andsecond images are different.
 24. A device for controlling display ofcoordinated images on a plurality of ornamental devices, the devicecomprising: a controller configured to: emit a first signal to at leasta first ornamental display device to display a first image; and emit asecond signal to at least a second ornamental display device to displaya second image, wherein the first image and the second image arecoordinated with one another.
 25. The device of claim 24, wherein thefirst ornamental display device comprises jewelry.
 26. A method forcontrolling display of coordinated images on a plurality of ornamentaldevices, the method comprising: emitting a first signal to at least afirst ornamental display device to display a first image; and emitting asecond signal to at least a second ornamental display device to displaya second image, wherein the first image and the second image arecoordinated with one another.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein thefirst ornamental display device comprises jewelry.